STM Defense Technologies Engineering and Trade Inc. showcased TUNGA-X, the Turkish defense industry’s new solution in the field of autonomous systems, for the first time at SAHA 2026. SAHA 2026 International Defense, Aerospace Industry Fair is being held at Istanbul Expo Center with the organization of SAHA Istanbul, the largest defense, aviation and space industry cluster of Türkiye and Europe. STM introduced the TUNGA-X Interceptor UAV system, developed as a drone hunter, for the first time at the SAHA 2026 Fair.
It was stated that the system, which stands out with its radar integration, high speed capability and autonomous mission features, will be used especially against low-cost kamikaze UAV threats. STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz said the following about TUNGA-X within the scope of SAHA 2026, of which Anadolu Agency (AA) is the Global Communication Partner: “Today’s threat to critical facilities by low-cost but highly effective fixed-wing kamikaze UAVs has required us to open a new page in our defense strategies.
Preventing such threats with much more expensive air defense missiles does not offer sustainable cost management. This is exactly where TUNGA-X comes into play.” With this fighter drone system, which can reach very high speeds of approximately 300 km/h, works integrated with radar and destroys the target in the air, we provide the user with both a technological and cost-effective advantage against asymmetric threats.
“We are proud to bring our experience in autonomous systems to the anti-UAV field.” It can perform both autonomous and manual tasks. It was stated that the system with multi-rotor architecture can take off vertically from narrow spaces or moving platforms, and it was noted that STM’s capabilities in the field of artificial intelligence and autonomy were also transferred to the system. It was stated that TUNGA-X, which can operate in both manual and autonomous modes, has an image processing-based autonomous target tracking feature.
It was reported that the threat element detected by the radar from a range of approximately 10 kilometers was transferred to the system, and then the interceptor UAV quickly headed towards the estimated approach corridor and confirmed the target with the EO/IR camera. It was reported that the system neutralizes the target in the air with its approach fuze detonation mechanism, and in case the mission is aborted, it can make a safe return thanks to its rotating wing structure.
It was emphasized that TUNGA-X, which was developed to be deployed in urban and rural areas, has a modular structure that can be integrated into different carrier platforms. The technical features of the system include a 750 gram warhead, 15 minutes flight time, 300 kilometers/hour maximum speed, 25 kilometers range and 5 thousand meters maximum altitude. Source: AA
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